Add ESPN's Marty Smith to the list, as he praised Notre Dame -- and, specifically, head coach Marcus Freeman for building the team's culture.

When the Notre Dame football program takes the field against Miami on Aug. 31, it’ll feature four of the top 100 players in college football — at least according to ESPN projections. On Wednesday, five ESPN college football reporters — David Hale,

In ESPN’s renowned College Football Power Index, the analytical model ranks teams based on the “expected point margin vs. an average opponent on a neutral field” – which is a category Notre Dame recently rose to sixth in .

ESPN has updated its Football Power Index ahead of the 2025 season, and if the formula is correct, Notre Dame should have another great season.

Notre Dame has lost some offensive depth during training camp with season-ending knee injuries to tight end Kevin Bauman and running back Kedren Young.

The staff here at Fighting Irish Wire predict who they each believe will breakout on Notre Dame’s defense this fall.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates after winning the first round of the College Football Playoff 27-17 against Indiana at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend.

Breaking down Notre Dame's betting odds, win total and championship chances ahead of the 2025 college football regular season.

ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy followed the Notre Dame quarterback competition closely. So when it came to a conclusion Tuesday, he probably reacted like anyone else who had redshirt freshman CJ Carr winning it from the beginning.